CALIFORNIA UTILITIES' REGULATORY MATTERS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Public Utilities General Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule Of California Utilities Major Projects

MAJOR PROJECTS – UPDATES
Joint Utilities Projects
Southern Gas System Reliability Project
§	In April 2016, the CPUC issued a proposed decision finding that there is a need for enhanced system reliability for the southern portion of the SoCalGas and SDG&E gas system, but concluding that the utilities have failed to demonstrate that there is a need for their proposed pipeline project. Instead, the proposed decision determines that certain non-physical alternatives will provide enhanced supply reliability, without the need to construct pipeline facilities.
§	At March 31, 2016, SoCalGas has approximately $23 million of development costs invested in the project, classified as Property, Plant and Equipment on Sempra Energy's and SoCalGas' Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Some or all of these assets could become impaired if the project and potential alternative uses for these assets were ultimately rejected by the CPUC. SoCalGas and SDG&E filed comments with the CPUC in April 2016.
Pipeline Safety & Reliability Project
§	SDG&E and SoCalGas filed an amended application with the CPUC in March 2016 providing detailed analysis and testimony supporting the proposed project. The revised request also presents additional information on the costs and benefits of project alternatives, safety evaluation and compliance analysis, and statutory and procedural requirements. SDG&E and SoCalGas seek approval to construct the proposed project, estimated at a cost of $633 million, and authority to recover the associated revenue requirement in rates.
SDG&E Projects
Cleveland National Forest (CNF) Transmission Projects
§	In March 2016, the U.S. Forest Service issued a final decision authorizing issuance of the CNF Master Special Use Permit renewing SDG&E's land rights and authorizing the construction, operation and maintenance of facilities located on national forest lands for the next 50 years, as well as approving the majority of the fire-hardening activities proposed by SDG&E.
§	Proposed decision issued by the CPUC in April 2016, which granted SDG&E a permit to construct. Final CPUC decision expected in the second quarter of 2016.
Sycamore-Peñasquitos Transmission Project
§	March 2016 final environmental impact report (EIR) recommended an alternative that undergrounds more of the project than originally proposed, and is viewed as environmentally superior. The CPUC may consider this alternative.
§	CPUC's recommended alternative has an estimated cost of $250 million to $300 million, compared to the original project cost estimate of $120 million to $150 million, and would also delay the project schedule by approximately 10 months.
§	CPUC decision expected in the second half of 2016.
South Orange County Reliability Enhancement
§	CPUC issued its final EIR for the project in April 2016. The EIR concluded that an alternative project is considered environmentally superior to SDG&E's proposal. The final EIR states that the CPUC is not required to adopt the environmentally superior alternative if there are overriding considerations in favor of another alternative. The CPUC will consider the findings in determining whether to approve SDG&E's proposed project or an alternative to it.
§	Final CPUC decision expected in the second half of 2016.